Alex Cora called it "close to a perfect game" played by the Boston Red Sox in defeating the Houston Astros 12-3 in Game 3 of the ALCS on Monday night.

"Offensively, this is the best we've been the whole season, and they're locked in right now," Cora said. "The preparation, it's a lot better right now. The communication is a lot better."

The Red Sox lead the series 2-1.

Boston has scored 50 runs in its past six games. That's the most by any team in a six-game span in the playoffs since Boston scored 52 runs over its final six games in 2007 to win the World Series.